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The "New Home" Opener

After years of planning, Tufts graduate opens new stadium for Milwaukee Brewers.

Medford/Somerville, Mass. [04.06.01] Today marks a particularly significant "home opener" for Tufts alum and Milwaukee Brewers CEO Wendy Selig-Prieb. Thousands of baseball fans will be on hand tonight as President George W. Bush throws out the game's ceremonial first pitch, officially opening the Brewer's new Miller Park.

"The President's love of baseball has been well chronicled and we look forward to christening our beautiful new ballpark with him," Selig-Prieb -- a 1982 Tufts graduate -- told reporters, noting that Bush will be the first President to attend a sporting event in the state of Wisconsin.

Tonight's home-opener is the culmination of decades of planning and investment by Selig-Prieb and the Brewers. The executive told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the Brewers hope to attract 3 million fans to the new ballpark this year alone.

"People raise an eyebrow when I say that, and I don't say it cavalierly," she told the Journal Sentinel. "It's a challenge and an aggressive number. But I believe in this ballpark and I believe in this community."

For years, Brewers fans battled Wisconsin's winter weather throughout the baseball season, but Selig-Prieb's new stadium should offer relief.

"The key is the fanned roof, which will eliminate the early-season postponements due to rain and snow that have hampered the [ticket sales] ever since Milwaukee became a major league city with the transfer of the Boston Braves in 1953," reported the Associated Press.

Already, over 140,000 fans have toured the massive structure during several open houses for fans hosted by the ballclub.

"This place is awesome," one fan told the Associated Press. "People are wandering around in a daze."

Among them was Selig-Prieb herself.

"Much like an expectant youngster at her birthday, Selig-Prieb darted around the field, greeting and hugging players, doing interviews with reporters and thoroughly enjoying herself despite the chilly weather," reported the Journal Sentinel.

So far, the completion of Miller Park appears to have jumpstarted ticket sales for the Brewers. Almost 2 million tickets have been sold, including 14,000 to season ticket holders, Selig-Prieb told the press.

"There is no question that we are setting sail on a new course," she said.